Controversial S#!T

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is getting support in the wake of the backlash over his Vogue cover shoot ... and it's from orgs helping his people on the frontlines.

A rep for NOVA Ukraine, a nonprofit that spreads awareness of the war while providing aid to Ukrainians, tells TMZ the article was "brilliantly written" ... wondering if the people criticizing the story even read it.

As we reported, Zelensky and his wife, Olena, were dragged online after appearing on the latest cover of Vogue. Some saw it as the President turning this crisis into the Zelensky show ... while looking for pats on the back along the way.

The rep for NOVA Ukraine says the photo shoot brings much-needed attention to the war ... as media coverage has dwindled as the conflict drags on. The way NOVA sees it, the focus should be on Ukraine's leaders who have "led a country which is being blown to pieces day by day, and continue to lead with their head high."

Michael Capponi, President of the Global Empowerment Mission, tells us the photo shoot does a lot of good .. Zelensky is using his PR skills to call upon the world for help, unlike previous Ukrainian presidents.

Michael's org sends first responders to disaster zones in Ukraine ... first responders who are critical in the rebuilding effort. He says Americans don't fully understand the impact of this war, likening it to a daily Hurricane Irma.

Candace Cameron Bure's daughter is not letting go of her famous mother's beef with JoJo Siwa ... she's defending mom and clapping back at JoJo, essentially telling her to stop acting like a child.

In a since-deleted Instagram Story posted on her account Thursday, Natasha Bure ripped JoJo, saying ... "Respectfully, someone saying 'no' to taking a photo with you is not a 'rough experience.' This generation is so sensitive and has no backbone."

Natasha didn't stop there, telling JoJo ... "There are bigger issues in this world than this. Grow up."

The Candace and JoJo beef started earlier this month when Siwa put the "Fuller House" actress on blast, calling her the "rudest celebrity" she's ever met ...  a grudge brewing for several years over a photo snub.

JoJo later explained she was 11 years old when she asked Candace for a photo at a "Fuller House" premiere and got denied, only to watch CCB take pics with others.  JoJo called the snub a "bad experience."

Candace tried to ease tensions with JoJo this week, claiming the two hashed out the incident and put it behind them, framing it as a learning experience for all.

But now, Candace's daughter is reviving the feud.

WWE legend Ric Flair isn't mincing his words when it comes to his feelings on the retirement of Vince McMahon ... outright saying he hates it!

76-year-old McMahon retired last week after decades as Chairman and CEO of WWE ... so when Nature Boy joined the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airing weeknights on FS1) this week, we asked him if his former boss should've stayed on the job.

"Yes, I think he's one of a kind and I've said this," Flair tells us, adding Vince has made a lot of careers thanks to his genius.

"He's made so many people rich and he's literally has made chicken salad out of a lot of chicken s**t. Mojo knows what I'm talking about. He's made a lot of people rich."

Flair went on to say he doesn't condone the allegations against McMahon (Vince is being investigated by a law firm hired by WWE for allegedly paying off several former female employees with whom he allegedly had relationships).

"I mean they're just trying to murder him now and who knows and all. I'm certainly not defending anything that's negative and I'm not taking a side on the issue that apparently has been brought up but I know as a person and what he did for me, there's nobody like him."

As for the future of the world's top wrestling organization (McMahon bought the company from his dad in 1982), Flair says the company is in great hands with Vince's daughter and current WWE executive, Stephanie McMahon.

"I think Stephanie's a genius!"

As for Ric, it's a huge week for the 2x WWE Hall of Famer ... on Sunday, Flair will enter the squared circle as a competitor for the last time in his incredible career.

You could see this one coming ... Sesame Place Philadelphia has been hit with a $25 million class action lawsuit ... claiming the park and its employees have insulted and damaged black patrons, especially the youngsters.

The lawsuit lists a man named Quinton Burns, who says he and his family visited Sesame Place on June 18, 2022. Burns says he purchased tickets to the park for himself and his young daughter with the expectation they'd experience "Meet and Greets" with Sesame Street characters.

However, according to the docs, Burns says when he and his kid attended a "Meet and Greet" with costumed performers of Elmo, Ernie, Telly Monster and Abby Cadabby -- the characters refused to engage with them and other black guests as well.

Burns says the performers were more than happy to engage with white customers at the same event.

Of course, the lawsuit comes directly on the heels of the video that surfaced from the park showing character Rosita, not only refusing to hug, but shaking her head "no" at two young black girls who wanted to interact with her at a parade.

We've spoken with the mother of the girls and the family attorney, who says they've been in talks with Sesame Place to make their situation right, and have even floated the possibility of legal action.

Donald Trump just teed off in the LIV Golf pro-am with Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau ... hitting the fairway with his opening drive.

Trump hit the course with the golf superstars -- kicking off the big event, which is going down at his Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Donald didn't seem to be nervous about playin' alongside some of the best in the world -- he piped his drive so well, he didn't even need to see its ball flight, immediately reaching for his tee after giving it a ride.

According to reporters on the scene, Trump's ball landed comfortably in the fairway -- setting the 76-year-old up for an easy second shot.

"Glad that's over with," Trump joked after hitting his ball.

Trump, DeChambeau and Johnson will also be playing alongside Eric Trump for Thursday's round.

The event will also feature a bunch of other celebs and athletes -- most notably Caitlyn Jenner, Charles Barkley, Chris Harrison and Brian Urlacher.

Wrestling star Hornswoggle -- who was born with a genetic condition that causes dwarfism -- says Jerry Jones should not have said he was sorry for using the m-word earlier this week ... explaining to TMZ Sports he doesn't find the term to be offensive.

Swoggle -- real name Dylan Postl -- broke it all down for us just a day after the Dallas Cowboys owner used the word while making a joke about one of his former employees who had passed away in May.

"You didn't need to apologize to me, Jerry Jones," the ex-WWE superstar said. "I'm a fan of yours for using the word because I use the word. Because I'm OK, and I don't take myself too seriously."

In his joke about Larry Lacewell, Jones said he wanted to "get me somebody, a m*****" to dress up like Dallas' former Director of College and Pro Scouting and stand next to him at practices.

Little People of America -- regarded as the largest dwarfism support organization in the world -- was appalled by the comment, and demanded an apology. Jones issued a mea culpa a short time later.

Hornswoggle, though, says he hopes Jerry continues to use the word -- telling us, "He's not using it in a derogatory way. That's my thing. He's not making fun of the community with how he's using it."

Swoggle added, "If you get offended by something like that, you're taking yourself way too seriously. We're all human. We all bleed the same blood. It's just ridiculous to me."

Mama June isn't in charge of Alana Thompson -- AKA Honey Boo Boo -- these days, but says if she knew her daughter was having a weight-loss procedure, she would've shot down the idea.

Mama June tells TMZ ... "I’m supportive if this is something Alana wants to get, but I would say she needs to wait until she’s 18 years old." She also says Alana didn't tell her about her medical plans before deciding to go through with it.

As we first reported, Alana is getting a suture sculpt endoscopic sleeve next month, right after she turns 17.

Although Alana's mentioned being unhappy with her weight, June says this procedure isn't something you just jump into -- June's dealt with weight loss surgery before, but ended up gaining back 100 pounds.

She says she's going to tell Alana's sister, Pumpkin, that she should wait.

Pumpkin is Alana's guardian now, and signed off on the surgery, but June adds, "It kind of bothers me that Pumpkin didn’t tell me. If Alana wants to do it, she should wait to sign her own paperwork at 18."

June's worried money became a factor in the sudden decision, but sources close to Alana tell us the non-surgical procedure is something she's doing privately, and not for TV.

Little People of America -- regarded as the largest dwarfism support organization in the world -- is going after Jerry Jones following his use of the m-word on Tuesday ... demanding he issue an apology immediately.

The LPA slammed the Cowboys owner in a statement to TMZ Sports ... just hours after the 79-year-old used the term while making a joke to a group of media members at the first day of Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif.

"M***** is a term that has widely been known to be derogatory for years and should be common knowledge to anyone in the public arena, such as Jerry Jones," the LPA said. "Ignorance at this point is simply not an excuse. Any use of this disparaging slur along with suggestions or insinuations that our stature exists for amusement is deplorable and inexcusable."

Jones used the term while talking about Larry Lacewell -- the Cowboys' longtime Director of College and Pro Scouting, who passed away at 85 years old in May.

Jones said he wanted to "get me somebody, a m*****" to dress like Lacewell and stand next to him out at practices.

The LPA said Jones' use of the word perpetuates "harmful stereotypes" -- and is now imploring him to say sorry.

"Those who use the term m***** or any terminology that further stigmatizes people born with dwarfism are asked to educate themselves to eradicate this word," the org. said. "Little People of America is asking Jerry Jones to issue an apology and vow to use appropriate terminology rooted in respect and dignity going forward."

So far, no comment yet from Jones or the Cowboys since he made the remark.

Donald Trump's back in D.C. for his first public remarks there since January 6, 2021 -- and there are a lot of unhappy people ... many of whom waited to greet him at the door.

The ex-Prez showed up Tuesday at the Marriot Marquis Hotel as the keynote speaker for the America First Policy Institute Summit ... where he said more of the same from his recent speeches -- repeating falsehoods about the election being "stolen," and teasing a run in 2024.

What was happening right outside, however, was far more interesting ... a fair amount of protesters had infiltrated the building and lined several floors inside the hotel, most of them yelling and throwing around flyers to voice their displeasure with DT being there.

What they were apparently chanting ... "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA" -- and the pieces of paper they hurled read, "INDICT TRUMP PROTECT DEMOCRACY."

Unclear if any of these people actually breached the conference room where Trump was speaking, but if not, ya gotta imagine they did disrupt a little. Outside, it was just as boisterous with even more demonstrators lining the streets ... on both sides of the Trump line.

Jerry Jones has just put his foot in his mouth at the opening day of Dallas Cowboys training camp ... using an offensive term for little people while addressing a throng of media members.

The team's owner was remembering the late Larry Lacewell -- the Cowboys' longtime Director of College and Pro Scouting -- when he used the m-word.

"Lace held court out here," Jones said while speaking about his former employee who passed away at 85 years old in May. "I'm going to get me somebody, a m*****, to stand up there with me and dress him up like Lace and think Lace is still out here helping us. Look at the practice with us."

"But, you know, we all need our props. A little memory that goes with him."

When saying the term, Jones -- who's 79 years old -- also used a hand gesture signaling he wanted someone smaller in stature.

If you're unfamiliar, the m-word has been deemed a derogatory slur by the Little People of America, who have urged people to stop using the word for nearly a decade.

We've reached out to the LPA for comment, but so far, no word back yet.

Jim Harbaugh -- fiercely against abortion -- says he'd be willing to raise the baby of any of his Univ. of Michigan football players, if they had an unplanned pregnancy, and the couple decided to have the baby.

"I've told [them] the same thing I tell my kids, boys, the girls, same thing I tell our players, our staff members," Harbaugh said on Saturday, "I encourage them if they have a pregnancy that wasn't planned, to go through with it, go through with it," Harbaugh told ESPN's Gene Wojchiechowski.

"Let that unborn child be born, and if at that time, you don't feel like you can care for it, you don't have the means or the wherewithal, then Sarah and I will take that baby."

The Wolverines head coach -- who signed a $36.7 million extension in February -- was the keynote speaker at a recent "Right To Life" event.

During the anti-abortion speech, 58-year-old Harbaugh spoke about having the "courage to let the unborn be born."

As for why he chose to speak out about the controversial topic, Jim says while it may be difficult, it's an incredibly important issue for America.

"I just think this issue of life, save a life, the abortion issue is one that is so big that it needs to be talked about," Harbaugh said.

"It's a life or death type of issue and I believe in and I respect people's views but let's discuss it because there's passion on both sides of this issue."

Dave Chappelle recently hit a minor setback when protestors essentially forced his Minneapolis show to switch venues -- but Fat Joe thinks Dave's critics should realize he's an equal opportunity offender.

We caught up with the Don Cartagena Monday in NYC on Monday, and he said comedians like Dave Chappelle always intend for their jokes to hit the funny bones without striking emotional nerves. He also feels Dave tells jokes about everyone, not one particular group more than another.

Call it a game of Comedy Operation ... Joe acknowledges there are sensitive subjects to address -- especially within the LGBTQ+ community -- but he feels laughter is the best medicine for most issues.

Minnesota protestors, particularly angry over Dave's Netflix special lineage, successfully thwarted the comedic legend from doing his show at First Avenue, forcing him to move to a new venue with just a few hours notice. Joe wishes those angry about Dave would understand love outweighs hate when it comes to comedy.

Charles Barkley is naming his price in order to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour ... saying he'd hop on board if they offer him a whopping $60 million!!

The NBA legend addressed the org.'s reported interest in bringing him on as a commentator with the "Dan Patrick Show" on Monday ... saying he's more than happy with his current situation with TNT, but a certain number would get him to sign on the dotted line with LIV.

"Well, consider how much money I make now, it would take a really huge number for me to give up my life right now," Barkley told Patrick.

While Barkley didn't want to go into details about his current income, Patrick threw out a number -- $20 milli total between TNT and endorsements -- and Chuck admitted the guess was pretty spot-on.

Dan asked Chuck how he'd respond if LIV decided to triple his income ... and it's safe to say Barkley wouldn't be able to decline such a lucrative offer.

"If they triple it, and next time I'm on your show, the first question better be, 'Charles, where we celebrating at tonight?'" Barkley said.

"That should be your first question, that should be your first question if they triple what I'm making now. Your first question should be, 'Hey, Charles, where's the party tonight?'"

Barkley also said despite all the backlash surrounding the tour, he has no issue with guys like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka leaving the PGA tour for LIV ... 'cause at the end of the day, money talks.

"150 million dollars to play golf 15 times a year? I have no problem with those guys taking that money."

Bill Maher misses the days of old -- especially when it comes to James Bond ... whom he says has gone soft and mushy in the Daniel Craig era, going so far as to call him "woke."

The 'Real Time' host dished his thoughts on the fictional spy character during the most recent episode of his podcast, "Club Random with Bill Maher," where he was chatting with YouTuber Hannah Stocking about how he feels Bond has changed ... for the worse.

Watch ... Bill says they've turned 007 into a watered-down stud, who's deeply in love and in a committed relationship in this last installment, "No Time to Die" -- which BM says is so unlike Bond and counterintuitive to the spirit of the OG character by author Ian Fleming.

To make his point, he recalls when Denise Richards starred in "The World Is Not Enough" -- Pierce Brosnan's 2nd-to-last go-around -- and killed it by playing a hottie scientist/the love interest.

It's unclear if Bill's suggesting that actress Lea Seydoux, who's Craig's GF in the last two flicks, *isn't* hot -- because that's just wrong, she totally is -- or if his beef is more so with the dynamic in these newer Bond movies ... aka, lovey-dovey. In any case, he doesn't dig it.

Bill even says Bond bringing his gal (and their kid) along for the climactic mission at the end is super weird -- joking the MI6 agent might as well have stopped off for tampons.

Of course, not everyone agrees with Bill's take -- there are a lot of folks who actually like how Bond has progressed over these past several years ... with some saying he's perhaps more fleshed-out, complex and interesting than any other iteration before this.

Vince McMahon -- the longtime chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment -- is retiring from his role with the company, he announced Friday.

"As I approach 77 years old, I feel it's time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE," McMahon said in a statement.

"Throughout the years, it's been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you."

"I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand."

Vince bought the company from his father, Vincent J. McMahon in 1982 ... and has been the face of the brand ever since.

Vince was responsible for the "Attitude Era" in the 1990s, which turned professional wrestling into a mainstream phenomenon ... and helped Superstars like The Undertaker, Kane, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Chyna and more become household names.

The billionaire is also the mastermind behind WrestleMania ... which just had its 38th installment this past April.

McMahon bought WWE's biggest competitor, World Championship Wrestling, in 2001 ... making his company the most dominant organization in the sport.

"Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment," he added. "I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment."

Vince recently stepped away from his role as chairman and CEO ... amid an investigation into alleged misconduct. His daughter, Stephanie, was named interim CEO and interim Chairwoman.

The investigation comes after a report claiming McMahon allegedly agreed to pay $12 million in "hush money" to 4 different women over a 16-year time period ... so they would not discuss their relationships with him.

McMahon appeared on "WWE SmackDown!" shortly after he voluntarily stepped down ... and made a speech that felt like a goodbye message to fans.

Story developing ...

Donald Trump was exposed Thursday night in the very building where he fanned the flames of insurrection ... and the outtake of his speech to the nation January 7th makes it clear -- the only thing he cared about was propagating the lie that he won the election.

The outtake is both shocking and, frankly, comical. When he gets to the part where he talks about the rioters breaking the law, he stops and exclaims, "I can't say that!" There's another part where he's supposed to say the election is over, but he won't say the words.

The January 6th Committee made it clear ... Trump only gave the speech because there was a move both in The White House and Congress to get him out of the Office of President, either by the 25th Amendment or impeachment.

There's a part of the outtake right out of the 'Mary Tyler Moore Show' with Ted Baxter. Trump is talking about what happened the day before and after flubbing the word "Yesterday," he says, "Yesterday is a hard word for me."

In another outtake, shot on January 6th, where Trump is supposed to quell the violence by calling off the insurrectionists, he begins with his grievances over the election results and ends with it as well.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger delivered rousing, impassioned remarks about Donald Trump and the impact of what he has done to American democracy. It's definitely worth watching.